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7 rules changes proposed by NFL teams for 2020
Four NFL teams have proposed seven rules changes for consideration this offseason.
Two proposals, jointly submitted by Baltimore and the Los Angeles Chargers, suggest increasing the manpower of the officiating crew, by proposing an eighth official similar to the SkyJudge of the former Alliance of American Football, as well as a senior technology advisor to the referee.
Playing rules proposals
- Modify blindside block rule to prevent unnecessary fouls (PHI)
- Make permanent the 2019 replay expansion of automatic replay reviews to include scoring plays/turnovers nullified by penalty, and any try attempt, whether successful or unsuccessful (PHI)
- Offer an alternative option to an onside kick for teams who are trailing, to run one scrimmage down with 15 yards to go (PHI)
- Restore all overtime in the preseason and regular season to 15 minutes, and limit the impact of the overtime coin toss (PHI)
- Allow defenses the option to start the game clock on the referee’s ready-for-play signal after a declined offensive penalty (MIA)
- Add a “booth umpire” as an eighth member of the officiating crew, seemingly similar to the now defunct-AAF SkyJudge (BAL-LAC)
- Add a “senior technology advisor” to the referee to assist the officiating crew (BAL-LAC)